New Delhi (NVI): Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will initiate the first blasting for Zozila Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.
The 14.15 Km long tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh through Dras & Kargil on NH-1, and will bring about an all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of Jammu & Kashmir, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways said in a statement.
Notably, it is one of the most dangerous stretch in the world to drive a vehicle and this project is also geo-strategically sensitive, it added.
The project was first conceived earlier in 2005 and its Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in year 2013 on BOT (Annuity) mode. It eventually given to NHIDCL in July 2016 for implementation on EPC mode. Its work was awarded to M/s. ITNL (IL&FS), the ministry said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone at Leh and commenced the work on May 15, 2018. The work progressed up to July last year, and thereafter IL&FS went into financial problems and the project was stuck. Hence, the contract was terminated in January last year, it added.
Earlier in February this year, Nitin Gadkari, reviewed this whole project in detail, to reduce the cost and to execute the languishing project on priority, referred the matter to an expert group under the Chairmanship of IK Pandey, DG (RD) & SS, MoRTH.
In addition to this, the expert group suggested modalities of project configuration and implementation, to achieve project completion in least possible time and cost. After due consultation with experts and other stakeholders, the group submitted its report on May 17, which was approved by the Minister, RTH on May 23. However, the total capital cost of the project would be Rs 6,808.63 crore.
The statement further stated that the tunnel in Zozila is the only viable alternative at present for a full year connectivity road. This tunnel when completed will be a landmark achievement in the history of modern India.
It will also be of great importance to the Defence of the country, in view of the fact that massive military activities along our borders in Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan regions are taking place, it added.
Furthermore, the tunnel project shall bring to fruition, 30 years of overwhelming public demand of Kargil, Drass and Ladakh region and will also make the travel on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 free from avalanches.
It would further enhance the safety of the travelers crossing Zozila Pass and would reduce the travel time from more than 3 hours to 15 minutes and will also generate employment to the locals in the region, the statement added.
-RJV
